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🦈 Fun for Shark Fans, Wine Lovers, Tequila Tasters & More—Here’s What’s On!

🦈 Fun for Shark Fans, Wine Lovers, Tequila Tasters & More—Here’s What’s On!

This week, meet Indra, our adorable, adoptable dog of the week, get my picks for Five Fun Things to do and see the results from last week's Trivia question!

Michele Kinnon
July 17, 2025

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Hola, Insiders!

First—ICYMI—here’s another chance to read the Tuesday newsletter:
🐆 A Jaguar in Puerto Aventuras? What the Experts Are Saying!

Today you get to meet Indra, Playa Animal Rescue’s Adoptable Dog of the Week, find my picks for Five Fun Things to do this weekend (and beyond) and get the Live Music lineup for the upcoming week. Plus, see the results from last week's Trivia question!

Do you know any musicians or live music lovers who would enjoy the RMI Rundown? Please share it with them!

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TRIVIA TIME

🎡 The Feria del Carmen has come to a close in Playa del Carmen. Tens of thousands of people came out to enjoy the carnival rides, cultural performances and live concerts. If you happened to be here on the Riviera Maya, I hope you were able to take part in this exciting city celebration honoring our patron saint.

Last week’s Trivia Question tested how much our readers knew about the Feria del Carmen festivities.

The answer was pretty easy to sort out if you read the Tuesday newsletter carefully. Only a few of our readers played along but most got it right!

While bullfighting is part of some traditional fairs in Mexico, it’s NOT part of Playa del Carmen’s Feria del Carmen. Instead, this celebration focuses on community events that honor the city’s patron saint, La Virgen del Carmen, blending Maya, mestizo, and Catholic traditions.

The festivities typically include a mass and religious processions, where locals honor the Virgin who’s long been considered a protector of those at sea. There’s a lively carnival with rides and games for all ages, vaquería performances featuring traditional Yucatecan dances and the cabalgata—a horseback parade that stirred up quite a bit of controversy this year.

Did you get the answer right? If so, congratulations! We will have another brain-teaser for you next Thursday. Share this newsletter with all your Trivia-loving friends and see who knows the most about the Riviera Maya and the Mexican Caribbean!

FIVE FUN THINGS

It may be low season but there are still plenty of places offering special events and entertainment. Here are my picks for Five Fun Things you might want to check out! As always, links to ticketing information and the locations are included in each description.

🍷 Summer Celebration of Mexican Wines

Raise a glass to Mexico’s finest vintages at Off the Vine Playacar’s Summer Mexican Wine Tasting! This intimate event invites you to explore standout wines from some of Mexico’s top vineyards—including La Cetto, Tres Raíces, Parvada, Hacienda Guadalupe, El Cielo, Pozo de Luna, and Lápida. Your ticket includes unlimited tastings and a buffet of authentic Mexican cuisine designed to complement the wines.

Expect a lively atmosphere with live music, great company, and a special 10% discount on selected bottles for one night only. Whether you're a wine enthusiast or simply curious about Mexico’s growing wine scene, this event promises a relaxed and flavorful evening in the heart of Playacar.

📍 Off the Vine | Plaza Xaman Ha, Playacar
📅 Friday, July 18 | 7PM – 9PM
💵 800 pesos per person (includes buffet + wine tastings)
📞 Reservations are recommended 984 125 7774

🇯🇲 Red Stripe & Reggae at Roots Jamaican Kitchen

Gather your friends, wear your brightest colors, and head to Roots Jamaican Kitchen for a night of good food, cold drinks, and live island rhythms. Friday night, it’s all about Red Stripe & Reggae at Roots Jamaican Kitchen! Roots will be channeling pure island vibes with live reggae beats, cold Red Stripe, and Jamaica’s most iconic flavors. If you’re a reggae lover or just craving something different, this is your spot for a laid-back, music-filled night. Make it a Friday to remember!

📍 Roots Jamaican Kitchen | 1 Av. between Calle 26 & 28, Playa del Carmen
📅 Friday, July 18 | 8PM – Midnight

💃 Lush Latin Dance Party at Mexcalli

Don't miss a special night of dance in an incredible paradise atmosphere at the beautiful Mexcalli restaurant! From the perfect location, to our prime music selection and amazing team of professionals, we have an unmatched experience in store for you! No partner or experience needed! Dance classes are a great way to meet new people!

7 PM FREE Salsa Class (Beginner)
8 PM Bachata Classes (Beginner & Intermediate)
9 PM Social Dancing

📍 Mexcalli | 5th Ave. between Calles 4 & 6 | Playa del Carmen
📆 Friday July 18 | 7PM - 2AM
🎟️ Entry: 100 MXN
💃 More info: www.letsdancemex.com/lush

🦈 Bull Shark Festival in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen celebrates its most iconic marine resident with the return of the Bull Shark Fest, a two-day environmental and cultural event spotlighting shark conservation and sustainable tourism. Organized by the Playa del Carmen Tourism Board and Ba’alche Proyecto Azul A.C., expect family-friendly activities, educational talks, and an interactive tourist passport experience designed to raise awareness about the bull shark’s importance as a guardian of the ecosystem. Admission is free to all events.

📆 July 19 | Leona Vicario Park | 5 PM to 9 PM
Environmental workshops
Educational activities for children and teens
Eco-friendly and socially-focused local businesses

📆 July 20 | Sayab Planetarium | 5 PM to 9 PM
Screening of the short documentary “Bull Shark”
Conservation-focused youth activities
Photo exhibition featuring sharks of Playa del Carmen

🇦🇷 Join Zitla Playa’s 10th Peña Argentina

Celebrate Argentina in true style this Sunday, July 20, as Zitla Playa hosts the 10th edition of its beloved Peña Argentina! It’s all about fernet, empanadas, and that unmistakable Argentine energy—plus plenty of live music to get you singing along.

Gather your friends, bring your flag, and join the fiesta with live performances by Lucas Caballero

📍 Zitla Playa | Calle 12 between Av. 15 y 20 | Playa del Carmen
📆 Sunday July 20 | Starting at 8 PM
🎟️ Cover: 50 MXN
📞 Reservations +52 984 183 3500

🍹 Tequila Tasting at Fragata Beach Club

Raise a glass to International Tequila Day with a sensory experience that celebrates Mexico’s most iconic spirit! Join Fragata Beach Club on Thursday, July 24 for a special seaside tequila tasting, where four carefully selected tequilas are paired with traditional Mexican bites—all with the Caribbean breeze as your backdrop. It’s the perfect way to toast this global celebration of tequila, right here in Playa del Carmen.

📍 Fragata Beach Club | Coco Beach, Playa del Carmen
📅 Thursday, July 24 | 6:30 PM
🎟️ 750 MXN - Limited spots available
📞 Reserve at 984 202 3483

THE RMI ROUNDUP PROUDLY SUPPORTS

🍍 Riviera Maya Insider is working together with PAR - Playa Animal Rescue to help amazing dogs find forever homes. Each week, we will feature a pup who is ready for adoption and eager to join your family.

MEET INDRA, OUR DOG OF THE WEEK

🐾 Indra is our 5 year old charming girl. She loves affection and to hang with her people. She came to us with chemo resistant TVT, but has fought her way back to good health. This girl is a sweetheart and deserves the very best. she is up to date on vaccinations, parasite free, spayed and has received all her monthly preventatives. If you want to learn more about Indra, send an email to. [email protected].

💵 Want to help, but can’t adopt? There are plenty of opportunities to support Indra and other pets awaiting their forever home. PAR also needs sponsors and volunteers to help with dog walking and charm school. Find out how you can help!

RMI LIVE MUSIC LINEUP

We do our best to get the most up to date information from the venues and bands. However, we are fully into low season and bookings may change at the last minute. We will do our best to keep the list up to date HERE.

If you are performing in Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, Paamul, Puerto Aventuras or Akumal and would like to see your live music, karaoke or open mic night included in the RMI weekly newsletter, please submit your information for consideration.

Thursday July 17

Puerto Morelos

Playa del Carmen

Puerto Aventuras

Akumal

Lol Ha | The Family Band | 6 - 8PM

Friday July 18

Puerto Morelos

La Sirena | Tren Latino Salsa Band | 8 - 11PM
Live Music Hall | The Shookers | 9:30PM - 12AM

Playa del Carmen

Puerto Aventuras

Saturday July 19

Puerto Morelos

Playa del Carmen

Puerto Aventuras

Akumal

Lol Ha | Natalie & Mauro | 6 - 8PM

Sunday July 20

Puerto Morelos

Playa del Carmen

Puerto Aventuras

Akumal / Tulum

Kay Beach Club | Mr Rojo | 1 - 3PM
Casa Cenote | Natalie & RASH | 1 - 3PM

🌟 If you are looking for all the most up-to-date live music events click on the button below. As additions and changes are made throughout the week, the page linked below will be editted to give you the most up to date listings.

Are you enjoying the RMI Live Music Lineup?

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